Business · Companies · 2 hrs ago
Alcon grows in third quarter but narrows 2026 outlook
Swiss-American eye-care company Alcon reported 5% sales growth in the third quarter of 2026, measured at constant exchange rates.
Its Vision Care business, which sells contact lenses and eye-care products, grew 6%, while its Surgical business grew 4%.
But sales of artificial lenses fell 2% as competition in the United States continued to weigh on the business.
These lenses are used in procedures such as cataract surgery, and growth in surgical supplies and equipment more than offset the decline.
Alcon narrowed its full-year forecast and now expects about 6% sales growth in constant currencies.
It also increased its target for annual savings to about $130 million, from about $100 million, to help offset rising costs.
The company expects tariffs to create a net cost of about $40 million in 2026 after countermeasures and refunds.
Alcon reported third-quarter 2026 revenue of $2.72 billion, up 5% on a constant-currency basis.
The company narrowed parts of its 2026 outlook, including its expected revenue and adjusted earnings growth ranges.
Competition in the United States drove a 2% decline in sales of artificial eye lenses.
Vision Care revenue rose 6% to $1.24 billion, while Surgical revenue increased 4% to $1.48 billion.
Alcon raised its targeted annual savings from its efficiency program to about $130 million.
- Who
- Alcon, the US-Swiss eye-care company.
- What
- It reported third-quarter growth and narrowed parts of its 2026 outlook.
- When
- The third quarter covered July to September 2026. Alcon announced results on Tuesday after the US market closed.
- Where
- The United States is identified as the market where competition in artificial eye lenses affected sales.
- Why
- Alcon cited continuing competition in US artificial eye lenses and inflationary cost pressure.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Alcon grew 7% on a constant-currency basis.
Revenue reached $2.72 billion, up 5% on a constant-currency basis.
Alcon reported its third-quarter results and narrowed parts of its 2026 outlook.
- Third-quarter revenue
- $2.72 billion; up 5% on a constant-currency basis
- Vision Care revenue
- $1.24 billion; up 6%
- Surgical revenue
- $1.48 billion; up 4%
- Artificial eye lens sales
- Down 2%
- 2026 revenue growth outlook
- Around 6% on a constant-currency basis
- Targeted annual savings
- Around $130 million